From Colors to Astrophysics

This three color composite
is consisting of H-alpha, Johnson V, and
B filter exposures, represented in red, green, and blue respectively. The
fine structured red filaments, observed at a wavelength of 656nm, show
the distribution of the ionized hydrogen. This are the turbulent and expanding
remnants of the starexplosion of the year 1054. Quite different is the
more homogeneous distribution of the green and blue parts. This is mainly
the high energetic (shorter wavelength) synchrotron radiation. In the center
of this nebula is the Crab-Pulsar , which is creating a strong magnetic
field. Charged particles are circulating in this magnetic field, loosing
energy and so giving this synchrotron radiation.